Method and system for dynamically setting up and tearing down connections in mesh networks

ABSTRACT

Wireless mobile communication (WMC) devices located in near proximity of each other may be enabled to form a mesh (ad hoc wireless) network. WMC devices may form and/or tear down intra-mesh connection with other WMC devices in the same mesh network. WMC devices may utilize information related to other WMC devices in the mesh network in determining formation and tearing down of intra-mesh connections. This information may comprise relative speeds, locations, and directions of movement of the WMC devices forming/tearing intra-mesh connections. Other information including data bandwidth and/or power consumption may be utilized in such determination. This information may also comprise available services advertised by WMC devices in the mesh network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application makes reference to, claims priority to andclaims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/950959filed on Jul. 7, 2007.

The above stated application is hereby incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless devices. Morespecifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a methodand system for dynamically setting up and tearing down connections inmesh networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of wireless communication has seen dramatic growth the lastfew years. In today's world, most people use their wireless devices forvarious purposes, business and personal, on a constant and daily basis.Society is truly becoming a wireless one. Numerous wireless solutionshave been introduced, and have made a tremendous impact on everydaylife.

For example, the use of Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN) has beengaining popularity in a great number of applications because of theflexibility and convenience in connectivity they provide. WPAN systemsgenerally replace cumbersome cabling and/or wiring used to connectperipheral devices and/or mobile terminals by providing short distancewireless links that allow connectivity within very narrow spatial limits(typically, a 10-meter range). WPAN may be based on standardizedtechnologies, for example Class 2 Bluetooth® (BT) technology. While WPANmay be very beneficial for certain applications, other applications mayrequire larger service areas and/or capabilities.

To satisfy such needs, other technologies have been developed to providegreater wireless service. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) systemsmay operate within a 100-meter range, for example. In contrast to theWPAN systems, WLAN provide connectivity to devices that are locatedwithin a slightly larger geographical area, such as the area covered bya building or a campus, for example. WLAN systems are generally based onspecific standards, for example IEEE 802.11 standard specifications, andtypically operate within a 100-meter range, and are generally utilizedto supplement the communication capacity provided by traditional wiredLocal Area Networks (LANs) installed in the same geographic area as theWLAN system.

Other forms of wireless solutions have evolved from traditionalland-based communication technologies. For instance, cellular phoneshave become just about an absolute necessity in today's world. Whilecellular technology was merely intended to add an element of mobility tothe traditional telephony service, this technology has grown beyond thatinitial purpose. Many modern cellular technologies, including suchtechnologies as GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA2000, incorporatesubstantial data capabilities. Most of today's cellular services includesuch features as text messaging, video streaming, web browsing . . .etc.

Combining various wireless technologies is another trend in the wirelessworld. For instance, WLAN systems may be operated in conjunction withWPAN systems to provide users with an enhanced overall functionality.For example, Bluetooth® technology may be utilized to connect a laptopcomputer or a handheld wireless terminal to a peripheral device, such asa keyboard, mouse, headphone, and/or printer, while the laptop computeror the handheld wireless terminal is also connected to a campus-wideWLAN network through an access point (AP) located within the building.

Devices aimed at taking advantage of the capabilities of wirelessnetworks can be described as Wireless mobile communication (WMC)devices. Today's WMC devices may comprise such devices as cellularphones, PDA's, laptops, and/or other devices.

One of the issues that arise with the use of WMC devices is theavailability of wireless connectivity. Because WMC devices are typicallyaimed at use-on-the-move, a WMC device, due to its user's movement, maybe located outside the wireless connectivity coverage area. For example,with such devices as mobile phones, it is not unusual for a user todrive out of a cellular network coverage area, especially when drivingbetween towns. This may result in dropped calls or significantlydegraded reception and/or services.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention asset forth in the remainder of the present application with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method is provided for dynamically setting up andtearing down connections in mesh networks, substantially as shown inand/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as setforth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary model for setupthat comprises a wireless mobile communication (WMC) device and a remotedevice, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary model for setupthat comprises a wireless mobile communication (WMC) devicecommunicating directly via a wireless connection with a remote device,which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary communicationsetup between two wireless mobile communication (WMC) devices, which maybe utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram that illustrates a plurality of WMC devicesforming a mesh network, which may be utilized in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram that illustrates a plurality of WMC devicesforming a mesh network with a new WMC device joining the mesh networkand forming a new intra-mesh connection, which may be utilized inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C is a block diagram that illustrates a plurality of WMC devicesforming a mesh network with a WMC device moving through the mesh networkand forming a new intra-mesh connection, which may be utilized inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates a WMC device joining meshnetwork and forming and/or tearing down intra-mesh connections, whichmay be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and systemfor dynamically setting up and tearing down connections in meshnetworks. WMC devices may be enabled to communicate directly with otherWMC devices that may be located within proximity of each other, therebyallowing peer-to-peer connectivity. WMC devices' peer-to-peercommunication may be device-specific and thus limited to a class ofdevices based on type and/or make. Alternatively, a WMC devices'peer-to-peer connectivity may also be based on a standardized wirelessconnectivity interface, for example Bluetooth®. Such WMC devicespeer-to-peer connectivity may be utilized to form a mesh (ad hocwireless) network, in which the WMC devices may form intra-mesh(device-to-device) connections. The intra-mesh connections may compriseone of various available wireless technologies, including, but motlimited to Bluetooth®, WiFi, and Cellular. Determining the type ofwireless technology utilized in forming the intra-mesh connection maydepend on various reasons, including relative location, velocity, and/ordirection of movement of two WMC devices attempting to form theintra-mesh connection. For example, due to the limited range ofBluetooth® connections, two WMC devices moving away at 20 MPH may notutilize Bluetooth® connection because they may quickly move out ofoperating range. Additionally, WMC devices in mesh networks mayadvertise available services to other devices. Knowledge about otherdevices available services may be utilized in determining the type ofwireless technology to be utilized in forming intra-mesh connections.For example, where a device advertises availability of data forwardingand another device attempts to utilize that service, a wirelesstechnology that provides improved QoS and/or bandwidth may be utilizedinstead of other technology that may require less resources but may notbe provide sufficient QoS and/or bandwidth.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary model for setupthat comprises a wireless mobile communication (WMC) device and a remotedevice, which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 1A, there is shown a WMC device 102, aremote device 104, an access point 106, a distribution network 108, awireless network 110, a cellular tower 112, a cellular network 114, abackbone network 116, a local network 118, a wireless link 120, acellular link 122, an accessory device 124, and a RF link 126.

The WMC device 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codethat may enable performing wireless mobile communication. For example,the WMC device 102 may be utilized to perform voice, video and/or textmessage peer-to-peer communication. A WMC device may comprise an enduser device or an end user terminal device comprising a user interface.The WMC device 102 may also perform additional functionality comprisinginternet browsing, and/or video streaming. The remote device 104 maycomprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabled tocommunicate to with the WMC device 102. The invention may not be limitedto a specific remote device, but may comprise, for example, a generalpurpose processing device, a specialized processing device, aspecialized peripheral device, or any combination of suitable hardware,and/or code, which may be enabled to perform a job requested by the WMCdevice 102. For example, the remote device may comprise a home PCcomprising fast processing subsystems and increased memory space. Suchhome PC may be better suited to perform processing and/or storageintensive tasks. For example, where necessary and/or feasible, the WMCdevice 102 may utilize the remote device 104 for Internet searchesand/or for secure storage of data that may be created and/or maintainedin the WMC device 102.

The wireless network 110 may comprise a plurality of the access point106, the distribution network 108, and suitable logic, circuitry and/orcode that may enable implementing a functional block corresponding to awireless technology. Exemplary wireless technology may comprise forexample the IEEE 802.11 (WLAN) or WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) architecture. Theaccess point 106 may comprise suitable hardware, logic, circuitry,and/or code that may be utilized as access point necessary for the WMCdevice 102 to access the wireless network 110. The distribution network108 may comprise suitable hardware, logic, circuitry, and/or code thatmay be adapted to operate as a backbone network that may be responsiblefor transport and link functionality for plurality of access points inthe wireless network 110.

The cellular network 114 may comprise plurality of the cellular tower112, and suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enableimplementing a functional block corresponding to a cellular technology.Exemplary cellular technology may comprise cellular technologies thatenable data services, including but not limited to, CDMA, WCDMA,CDMA1000, HSDPA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS.

The accessory device 124 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/orcode that may enable performing some accessory functionality inconjunction with the use of the WMC device 102. For example, theaccessory device may comprise a hands-free headset. The WMC device 102may interact with the accessory device 124 over a short-range RF link126. The RF link 126 may be based on a standardized technology forinter-device short range communication. For example, the RF link maycorrespond to a Bluetooth® connection or ZigBee connection between theaccessory device 124 and the WMC device 102.

The local network 118 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codethat may enable local connectivity. This local connectivity may compriseuse of Local Area Network (LAN) technologies that enable data services,including but not limited to, IEEE 802.3 Ethernet. Other technologiesmay comprise WiMAX.

The backbone network 116 may comprise suitable hardware, logic,circuitry, and/or code that may be adapted to provide overall systemconnectivity between sub-networks. The wired network 116 may be enabledto interact with, and connect different wired and/or wirelesstechnologies. For example, the backbone network may comprise a standardtelephony network (POTS) that may enable data connectivity betweendifferent interface nodes linking wired and/or wireless networkscomprising WLAN networks, WiMAX networks, cellular networks, and/or LANnetworks.

In operation, the WMC device 102 may utilize the wireless link 120 toaccess the wireless network 110 via the access point 106. The WMC device102 may also utilize the cellular link 122 to access the cellularnetwork 114 via the cellular tower 112. The WMC device 102 may attemptto communicate with the remote device 104 via the wireless network 110through the access point 106 and the distribution network 108. Thedistribution network 108 may enable forwarding messaging and/or datasent from, and to the WMC device 102. The backbone network 116 enablesconnectivity between local networks, for example wireless network 110,and cellular network 114. The remote device 104 may receivecommunication from the WMC device 102 by interacting with the backbonenetwork 116. Necessary protocol-based operations may be performed tofacilitate the transmission of information through all the differentcomponents. This may comprise use of such protocols as IP, SS7 . . .etc.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary model for setupthat comprises a wireless mobile communication (WMC) devicecommunicating directly via a wireless connection with a remote device,which may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 1B, there is shown the WMC device 102, the remotedevice 104, the access point 106, the distribution network 108, thewireless network 110, the cellular tower 112, the cellular network 114,the backbone network 116, the wireless link 120, the cellular link 122,the accessory device 124, the RF link 126, and a remote device 104 b.

The remote device 104 b may be similar to the remote device 104.However, the remote device 104 b may also comprise suitable hardware,logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable wireless connectivity.

In operation, the WMC device 102, the remote device 104, the accesspoint 106, the distribution network 108, the wireless network 110, thecellular tower 112, the cellular network 114, the backbone network 116,the wireless link 120, the cellular link 122, the accessory device 124,and the RF link 126 may operate similar FIG. 1A. The remote device 104 bmay operate similar to the remote device 104. However, the WMC device102 may communicate directly with the remote device 104 b over awireless connection. The remote device 104 b may be operated as astand-alone device, or it may be operated within a compatible network,wherein the remote device may be integrated. The ability to communicatedirectly with the remote device 104 b may allow improved utilization ofthe remote device 104 b by the WMC device 102. The direct wirelessconnection between the WMC device 102 and the remote device 104 b mayenable faster and more reliable communication between the two devices.The improvement may be due to the characteristics of the wirelessconnection between the remote device 104 b and the WMC device 102, forexample having greater bandwidth. The improvement may also be due toreduced delays compared to setups where the WMC device may have tocommunicate with the remote device 104 through plurality of connectingnetworks and/or entities.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary communicationsetup between two wireless mobile communication (WMC) devices, which maybe utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referringto FIG. 2, there is shown a WMC device 202, a WMC device 204, adevice-to-device connection 206, a personal area network (PAN) interface208, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface 210, a Cellularinterface 212, and a device-based interface 214. The PAN interface maycomprise a ZigBee and/or a Bluetooth® (BT) interface.

The WMC devices 202 and 204 may be substantially similar to the WMCdevice 102, and may also comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codethat enable device-to-device communication. The device-to-deviceconnection 206 may comprise wireless connectivity that enables directcommunications between WMC devices 202 and 204. The device-to-deviceconnection 206 may utilize a wireless interface. The invention may notbe limited to a specific type of wireless interface, but may comprisefor example, the PAN interface 208, the Wireless Local Area Network(WLAN) interface 210, the Cellular interface 212, and/or thedevice-based interface 214.

The PAN interface 208 may comprise suitable functionality that enablesforming connections based on the Bluetooth® standard (IEEE 802.15) orZigBee. The Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface 210 maycomprise suitable functionality that enables forming connections basedon the WLAN standard (IEEE 802.11). The Cellular interface 212 maycomprise suitable functionality that enables forming connections basedon a cellular standard; for example, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA, CDMA2000 . . .etc. The device-based interface 214 may comprise suitable functionalitythat enables forming connections between specific WMC devices. Forexample, a manufacturer of a type of WMC devices may utilize aproprietary standard of wireless communication between WMC devices ofthat type.

In operation, the WMC devices 202 and 204 may communicate directly whenthey are in near proximity of each other. The WMC devices 202 and 204may form the device-to-device connection 206. The device-to-deviceconnection 206 may be formed via the PAN interface 208, the WLANinterface 210, the Cellular interface 212, and/or the device-to-deviceinterface 214. The choice of the wireless interface may be based onsuitability of the interface based on variety of factors related to theWMC devices 202 and 204. For example, spatial considerations, includingbut not limited to relative speeds, locations, and/or direction ofmovements of the WMC devices 202 and 204, may be utilized to determine asuitable wireless interface based on range limitations for instance.Also, power consumption requirements and/or data bandwidths may beutilized to determine a suitable wireless interfaces.

Spatial considerations may be utilized in forming and/or tearing downdevice-to-device connection 206 because different wireless interfacesthat may be utilized in establishing such connections may have varyingoperational ranges. For example, in instances where the WMC devices 202and 204 may be located within few meters of each other, the PANInterface 208 based connection may be utilized to form thedevice-to-device connection 206. However, in instances where the WMCdevices may be located far apart, for example more then 100 meters, thePAN interface 208 based connection may not be available, and otherwireless interfaces with greater operations ranges, for example WLANinterface 210, may be utilized. Also, even in instances where the WMCdevices 202 and 204 may be initially located within the operationalrange of a PAN interface 208 based connection, the WMC devices 202 and204 may not utilize a PAN interface connection because of the devices'movements. If the WMC devices 202 and 204 were moving in differentdirections at high speeds, for example moving in opposite directions at20 MPH, the WMC devices 202 and 204 may determine that they may move outof the operational range of a PAN interface 208 based connection tooquickly. The WMC devices 202 and 204 may choose another wirelessinterface, for example WLAN interface 210, which may offer greateroperational range, and thus longer duration of communication as the WMCdevices 202 and 204 move apart.

Data bandwidths may also be relevant in forming and/or tearing downdevice-to-device connection 206 because different wireless interfacesthat may be utilized in establishing such connections may offer varyingdata bandwidths. For example, where the WMC devices 202 and 204 may belocated within few meters of each other, the PAN Interface 208 basedconnection may be sufficient to form the device-to-device connection 206when the WMC devices 202 and 204 may only be communicating to receiveand transmit updates from the rest of the mesh network 304, for exampleadvertised available services. However, where the WMC devices 202 and204 may be communicating large data files, the PAN interface 208 basedconnection may not be sufficient, and other wireless technologies withgreater data bandwidths, for example WLAN interface 210, may be utilizedinstead.

Power consumption may also be relevant in forming and/or tearing downdevice-to-device connection 206 because different wireless interfacesthat may be utilized in establishing such connections may have differentpower requirements. Power may be a limitation in WMC devices due to suchfactors as the characteristics of the batteries that may be used in suchdevices. The WMC devices 202 and 204 may choose wireless interfaces thathas lower power requirement in order to prolong battery life. Forexample, where the WMC devices 202 and 204 may be located within fewmeters of each other, PAN Interface 208 based connection may be moredesirable than another wireless interface with higher power requirement,for example WLAN interface 210. The WMC devices 202 and 204 may alsotear down existing device-to-device connection 206 where the power costof retaining such connection may be deemed unacceptable as the powersupply in at least one of the WMC devices 202 and 204 may be decreasing.

In an embodiment of the invention, in addition to use ofperformance-based factors, other factors, such as cost, may be utilizedwhen forming and/or tearing down devices-to-devices connection 206. WMCdevices in a mesh network may advertise services based on a costfunction, wherein such WMC device may avail certain services inexchanged for deferent cost values. These Cost values may comprisemonetary compensation, for example, per-minute charge similar to what awireless provider may require, or it may comprise a trade-off ofservices required in return. For example, the WMC device 204 mayadvertise availability of the PAN interface 208 and the WLAN interface210 at different costs. Consequently, the WMC device 204 may only beable to utilize the WLAN interface 210 when forming device-to-deviceconnection 206 with WMC device 202 when requested cost of the WLANinterface 210 may be satisfied.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram that illustrates a plurality of WMC devicesforming a mesh network, which may be utilized in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3A, there is shown a WMCmesh network 304, a plurality of WMC devices 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, and302 d, and an intra-mesh connection 306.

The plurality of WMC devices 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, and 302 d may besubstantially similar to the WMC devices 202 and 204. The WMC meshnetwork 304 may comprise a plurality of WMC devices, and may alsocomprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable formingmesh-like, ad hoc wireless networks of WMC devices. The intra-meshconnection 306 may comprise a device-to-device connection substantiallysimilar to the device-to-device connection 206 as described in FIG. 2.

In operation, a plurality of WMC devices 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, and 302 dmay communicate with each other once the devices are withindevice-to-device communication range. Each device may utilize theintra-mesh connection 306 to communicate with other device(s) in themesh network 304. The WMC devices in the mesh network 304 may utilizeplurality of the intra-mesh connection 306 in order to enable utilizingthe other WMC devices in the mesh network 304 for certain operationsincluding, for example, forwarding data and/or messages. The formationof the intra-mesh connections may be dynamic and the WMC devices in themesh network 304 may tear down existing intra-mesh connections and/orform new intra-mesh connections where such formation and/or tearing downof intra-mesh connections may be necessary. The forming and/or tearingdown of intra-mesh connections may be based on spatial considerationsthat may include such spatial factors as relative speeds, locations,and/or directions of movement of the WMC devices forming and/orattempting to form intra-mesh connections.

For example, two WMC devices may be communicating via an intra-meshconnection that utilizes Bluetooth® interface. If the two devicesstarted to move away from each other at speeds of 20 MPH, the deviceswill quickly become outside of typical Bluetooth® coverage range(typically ˜1-100 meters based on the class). Therefore, the WMC devicesmay tear down the current intra-mesh connection and attempt to form anew intra-mesh connection that may utilize a wireless interface withlonger communication range, such as WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) for instance.

In instances when the WMC devices may be sufficiently near in proximity,a plurality of wireless interfaces may be available; and otherconsiderations such as power consumption and/or available servicesadvertised by other WMC devices in the mesh network may be utilized indetermining the type of interface to be used in forming the intra-meshconnection 306. For example, two WMC devices in the mesh network 304 mayform an intra-mesh connection that utilizes Bluetooth® interface becauseBluetooth® connections generally have low power requirements. Also, twoWMC devices in the mesh network 304 may form an intra-mesh connectionthat may utilize a wireless interface that may enable large databandwidth rather then more power efficient interface where one of theWMC devices advertise available services such as the ability to forwarddata and/or message to external networks, and the other WMC device maydesire to utilize the advertised service. The available services mayalso comprise data buffering and/or storing wherein another WMC devicein the mesh network 304 may be better suited for storage and/orbuffering for data. This may be due to such factors as higherstorage/buffering capacity, lower load, and/or proximity to potentialexternal and/or internal targets and/or sources of communicated data.

While the diagram represents all connections between the WMC devices inthe mesh network 304 in a similar fashion, the intra-mesh connections306 need not be of the same type at any given point in the mesh network304. For example, the WMC devices 302 d and 302 c may utilize a PANinterface 208 based intra-mesh connection such as a Bluetooth® and/orZigBee connection where the devices are sufficiently with in operationalproximity of each other. At the same time, the WMC devices 302 c and 302b may utilize another type of wireless technology in forming theintra-mesh connection 306 between these devices because they are notsufficiently within operational proximity necessary for the PANinterface 208 and/or because they may require higher data rates thanavailable. For example, the WMC devices 302 c and 302 b may utilizeWiMAX and/or WLAN connection.

Also, while the diagram represents all connections between the WMCdevices in the mesh network 304 as a single connection between each pairof WMC devices, a pair of WMC devices in the mesh network 304 mayutilize multiple connections at the same time. For example, the WMCdevices 302 d and 302 c may form two intra-mesh connections at the sametime. One intra-mesh connection may be based on PAN interface 208connection such as Bluetooth® connection, which may be desired, due tosuch factors as low power consumptions for instance, in situations wherethe devices may not need high data rates. The second connection betweenthe WMC devices 302 c and 302 d may utilize a wireless technology thatmay enable higher data rates than PAN interface connection, for examplea WiMAX connection. The second connection may be utilized forcommunication between the WMC devices 302 c and 302 d that requirehigher bandwidth while the first connection may be utilized at the sametime for other communication that may not need high data bandwidth.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram that illustrates plurality of WMC devicesforming a mesh network with a new WMC device joining the mesh networkand forming a new intra-mesh connection, which may be utilized inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3B,there is shown the WMC mesh network 304, and the plurality of the WMCdevices 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, 302 d, and a WMC device 302 e.

The WMC device 302 e may be substantially similar to the WMC devices 302a, 302 b, 302 c, and 302 d.

In operation, the plurality of WMC devices 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, and 302d may communicate with each other once the devices are withindevice-to-device communication range and for the mesh network 304substantially as described in FIG. 3A. The WMC device 302 e maysufficiently move within the range of the mesh network 304. The WMCdevice 302 e may join the mesh network 304 and form intra-meshconnections with WMC devices in the mesh network 304. For example, theWMC device 302 e may form an intra-mesh connection with the WMC device302 d because the WMC device 302 d may be the closest device to the WMCdevice 302 e at that point, and therefore, the WMC device 302 e may bejoined to the mesh network 304 utilizing low power consumption. Becausepower may be a limitation in WMC devices, power consumption may be animportant factor in determining the type of wireless technology that maybe utilized in forming intra-mesh connections. Such power considerationmay be taken into account, for example, in instances where the WMCdevice 302 e may only be maintaining intra-mesh connection for thepurposes of receiving and transmitting updates from the rest of the meshnetwork 304, for example advertised available services. In suchscenarios, it may suffice, where the WMC device 302 e may besufficiently close to the WMC device 302 d, to allow utilizing PANinterface 208 in forming the intra-mesh connection between the twodevices. However, the WMC device 302 e may not be sufficiently close tothe WMC device 302 d to allow utilizing PAN interface 208, or one orboth device may desire communicating higher data rates than may beavailable in a PAN interface 208 based connection. In these scenarios,and where the WMC devices 302 e and 302 d may evaluate poweravailability and/or requirement to determine whether they may be enableto form a new intra-mesh connection that utilizes another wirelesstechnology that may enable communication over greater range and/orhigher data rates, for example WiMAX and/or WLAN.

FIG. 3C is a block diagram that illustrates a plurality of WMC devicesforming a mesh network with a WMC device moving through the mesh networkand forming a new intra-mesh connection, which may be utilized inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3C,there is shown the WMC mesh network 304, and the plurality of the WMCdevices 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, 302 d, and the WMC device 302 e.

In operation, the WMC device 302 e may move within the mesh network 304relative to other devices in the network. Due to its movement, the WMCdevice 302 e may tear down its intra-mesh connection with the WMC device302 d, and form a new intra-mesh connection with the WMC device 302 cbecause the WMC device 302 c is now closer to the WMC device 302 e thanthe WMC device 302 d, and therefore less power consumption may benecessary to maintain an intra-mesh connection of the same type. Also,the WMC device 302 e may form a secondary intra-mesh connection with THEWMC device 302 b. This connection may be formed because WMC device 302 bmay be advertising an available service that WMC device 302 e may desireto use. For example, the WMC device 302 b may advertise that it may havethe ability to forward data and/or messages to external networks. TheWMC device 302 e may utilize the intra-mesh connection with the WMCdevice 302 b to access the remote device 104 via the externalconnectivity service of the WMC device 302 b.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart that illustrates a WMC device joining meshnetwork and forming and/or tearing down intra-mesh connections, whichmay be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown flow chart 400. The flow chart maystart when a WMC device comes into near proximity of other WMC devicesforming a mesh network, substantially similar to the mesh described inFIG. 3A. In step 402, the WMC device may join the mesh network. The WMCdevice may utilize device-to-device connections to interact with otherWMC devices forming the mesh network substantially similar to thedevice-to-device connection 206 as described in FIG. 2 in order todetermine the other WMC devices spatial information and/or advertisedavailable services. For example, the WMC device may utilize Bluetooth®interface in peer-to-peer communications with nearby WMC devices in themesh device 304. In step 404, the WMC device may form intra-meshconnections with other WMC devices in the mesh network 304. The WMCdevice may form dedicated device-to-device connections with other WMCdevices in the mesh network 304. In step 406, the WMC device is READY,wherein the WMC device is actively participating in the WMC meshoperations and may be capable of tracking spatial information of otherWMC devices in the mesh network 304, and may be capable of receivingfrom and/or advertising to other WMC devices available services.

In step 408, the WMC device may determine that there were changesregarding other WMC devices in the mesh network 304. This may comprisespatial changes that may be due relative speeds, locations, and/ordirections of movement of WMC devices in the mesh network 304. Otherchanges may be determined based on newly advertised available servicesby other WMC devices in the mesh network 304 and/or new requests forutilizing available services advertised by the WMC device. In step 410,the WMC device determines whether there is a need to modify theintra-mesh connection it currently has. In the instance that the outcomeof the determination in step 410 was NO-CHANGE, the WMC device need notmodify its current intra-mesh connections, and the process may return tostep 406.

Returning to step 410, in the instance that the outcome of thedetermination in step 410 was CHANGE, the WMC device may need to modifyits current intra-mesh connections. In this regard, the WMC device maytear down some of its current intra-mesh connections and/or form newintra-mesh connections in order to account for spatial changes relativeto other WMC devices in the mesh network 304, to obtain some newlyadvertised available services by other devices in the mesh network 304,and/or to provide for new requests regarding available servicespreviously advertised by the WMC device. The process may proceed back tostep 404 to perform the necessary intra-mesh connections updates beforereturning to READY state in step 406.

Various embodiments of the invention may comprise a method and systemfor dynamically setting up and tearing down connections in meshnetworks. WMC devices 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, 302 d, and 302 e may beenabled to communicate directly with each other when they may be locatedin near proximity of each other to form mesh network 304. In such meshnetworks, the WMC devices may form intra-mesh (device-to-device)connections. The intra-mesh connections 306 may comprise one of variousavailable standardized wireless connectivity interfaces, for exampleBluetooth®, WLAN, and/or Cellular. The intra-mesh connections 306 maycomprise device-specific interfaces, and thus be limited to a narrowclass of devices based on type and/or make. Determining the type ofwireless interface utilized in forming the intra-mesh connection in themesh network 304 may depend on various reasons, including spatialfactors that may comprise relative location, velocity, and/or directionof movement of two WMC devices attempting to form the intra-meshconnection. Additionally, WMC devices in the mesh network 304 mayadvertise available services to other devices. Knowledge about otherdevices available services may be utilized in determining the type ofwireless interface to be utilized in forming intra-mesh connections 306.For example, where a device advertise availability of data forwardingand another device attempts to utilize that service, a wirelesstechnology that provides improved QOS and/or bandwidth may be utilizedinstead of other technology that may require less resources but may notbe provide sufficient QoS and/or bandwidth.

Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine-readablestorage, having stored thereon, a computer program having at least onecode section executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine toperform the steps as described herein for dynamically setting up andtearing down connections in mesh networks.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least onecomputer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elementsare spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind ofcomputer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computerprogram that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computersystem such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for improving wireless devices, the method comprising:establishing a mesh network between or among a plurality of wirelessmobile communication devices when said wireless mobile communicationdevices are in operating proximity of each other; and establishingand/or tearing down connections between two or more of said plurality ofwireless mobile communication devices based on connectivity and/orcapability of one or more of said plurality of wireless mobilecommunication devices.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidconnections between said two of more of said plurality of wirelessmobile communication devices utilize one or more of a plurality ofwireless technologies.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein saidplurality of wireless technologies comprise Bluetooth®, ZigBee, WLAN,and WiMAX.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said connectivitybetween said devices depends on relative speed of said two or more ofsaid plurality of wireless mobile communication devices.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said connectivity between said devicesdepends on direction of movement of at least one of said two or more ofsaid plurality of wireless mobile communication devices.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said connectivity between said devicesdepends on location of at least one of said two or more of saidplurality of wireless mobile communication devices.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said capability of said one or more ofsaid plurality of wireless mobile communication devices comprisesavailable services.
 8. The method according to claim 7, comprisingadvertising said available services, and/or cost for enabling use ofsaid available services, by said one or more of said plurality ofwireless mobile communication devices.
 9. The method according to claim8, comprising forwarding data in said established mesh network based onsaid advertising.
 10. The method according to claim 8, comprisingbuffering data in said established mesh network based on saidadvertising.
 11. A machine-readable storage having stored thereon, acomputer program having at least one code section for improving wirelessdevices, the at least one code section being executable by a machine forcausing the machine to perform steps comprising: establishing a meshnetwork between or among a plurality of wireless mobile communicationdevices when said wireless mobile communication devices are in operatingproximity of each other; and establishing and/or tearing downconnections between two or more of said plurality of wireless mobilecommunication devices based on connectivity and/or capability of one ormore of said plurality of wireless mobile communication devices.
 12. Themachine-readable storage according to claim 11, wherein said connectionsbetween said two of more of said plurality of wireless mobilecommunication devices utilize one or more of a plurality of wirelesstechnologies.
 13. The machine-readable storage according to claim 12,wherein said plurality of wireless technologies comprise Bluetooth®,ZigBee, WLAN, and WiMAX.
 14. The machine-readable storage according toclaim 11, wherein said connectivity between said devices depends onrelative speed of said two or more of said plurality of wireless mobilecommunication devices.
 15. The machine-readable storage according toclaim 11, wherein said connectivity between said devices depends ondirection of movement of at least one of said two or more of saidplurality of wireless mobile communication devices.
 16. Themachine-readable storage according to claim 11, wherein saidconnectivity between said devices depends on location of at least one ofsaid two or more of said plurality of wireless mobile communicationdevices.
 17. The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, whereinsaid capability of said one or more of said plurality of wireless mobilecommunication devices comprises available services.
 18. Themachine-readable storage according to claim 17, wherein said at leastone code section comprises code for advertising said available services,and/or cost for enabling use of said available services, by said one ormore of said plurality of wireless mobile communication devices.
 19. Themachine-readable storage according to claim 18, wherein said at leastone code section comprises code for forwarding data in said establishedmesh network based on said advertising.
 20. The machine-readable storageaccording to claim 18, wherein said at least one code section comprisescode for buffering data in said established mesh network based on saidadvertising.
 21. A system for improving wireless devices, the systemcomprising: one or more processors in a wireless mobile communicationdevice that enable establishing a mesh network between or among saidwireless mobile communication device and one or more other wirelessmobile communication devices when said wireless mobile communicationdevices are in operating proximity of each other; and said one or moreprocessors establishes and/or tears down connections between or amongsaid wireless mobile communication device and said one or more otherwireless mobile communication devices based on connectivity and/orcapability of said wireless mobile communication device and/or said oneor more other wireless mobile communication devices.
 22. The systemaccording to claim 21, wherein said connections between said two of moreof said plurality of wireless mobile communication devices utilize oneor more of a plurality of wireless technologies.
 23. The systemaccording to claim 22, wherein said plurality of wireless technologiescomprise Bluetooth®, ZigBee, WLAN, and WiMAX.
 24. The system accordingto claim 21, wherein said connectivity between said devices depends onrelative speed of said two or more of said plurality of wireless mobilecommunication devices.
 25. The system according to claim 21, whereinsaid connectivity between said devices depends on direction of movementof at least one of said two or more of said plurality of wireless mobilecommunication devices.
 26. The system according to claim 21, whereinsaid connectivity between said devices depends on location of at leastone of said two or more of said plurality of wireless mobilecommunication devices.
 27. The system according to claim 21, whereinsaid capability of said one or more of said plurality of wireless mobilecommunication devices comprises available services
 28. The systemaccording to claim 27, wherein said one or more processors enableadvertising said available services, and/or cost for enabling use ofsaid available services, by said one or more of said plurality ofwireless mobile communication devices.
 29. The system according to claim28, wherein said one or more processors enable forwarding data in saidestablished mesh network based on said advertising.
 30. The systemaccording to claim 28, wherein said one or more processors enablebuffering data in said established mesh network based on saidadvertising.